Blinken says the world is united in putting pressure on the Taliban

INA-Sources

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken ,said Thursday he believes the world is united in putting pressure on the Taliban, after holding talks with officials from Pakistan, China and Russia.
 
on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Blinken met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and on Wednesday evening he held talks with ministers from the other four members of the Security Council that have the right to veto (the veto), including Russia and China.
 
“I think there is a very strong unity of approach and unity of purpose,” Blinken told reporters.
“The Taliban say they are seeking legitimacy, and they are seeking support from the international community. The relationship it has with the international community will be determined by the actions it takes.”
 
Blinken reiterated the United States’ priorities, which are the Taliban’s allowing Afghans and foreigners to leave Afghanistan, the movement’s respect for the rights of women, girls and minorities, and not allowing Afghanistan to be used again by extremists such as al-Qaeda.
 
In talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Blinken stressed “the importance of coordinating our diplomatic engagement,” the State Department said.
 
Pakistan had called for dealing with the Taliban and unfreezing Afghan assets, but Qureshi said earlier this week that there was no rush to recognize the new Taliban government.
 
“We have to find a way to work together to achieve our common goal, which is peace and stability,” Qureshi said at the start of his meeting with Blinken.
 
Russia and China have taken a cautious approach to the armed movement that seized power in Afghanistan this summer, and have expressed concerns about Islamic extremism in the long run.
 
Source: AFP